So this is me thinking out loud about all that’s been going on with the news of revival at Asbury University. At first, I was completely and uncritically onboard because that’s what I’ve been thinking this country needs is a revival.

I’ve read some things that have got me thinking. Maybe I need to be more discerning. Maybe I need to do like it says in 1 John 4:1 and test the spirit to see if it’s really from God. After all, there are a lot of things that look like they’re from God, sound like they’re from God, but don’t line up with God’s word.

I’m not saying the revival’s a fake.

I am saying that it’s easy to be led astray when we base the entirety of something based on experiences and emotions rather than on whether it lines up doctrinally with the Bible.

I would love nothing more than for a true awakening that involves real confession of sin and repentance. I would love nothing more than to witness large scale people coming to Christ.

I also know that so many of us get bored with the routine and want to chase the next experience, the next emotional fix, the next rollercoaster event. It’s easier to get worked up into a spiritual frenzy than do to the hard work of life change that comes through genuine repentance.

It’s interesting that in the Bible there’s a group of people that tested everything and everyone against the word of God — even the teachings of the Apostle Paul himself! Sadly, we’ve become way less discerning in the present age and even get upset if anyone dares to ask questions, regardless of motive.

I’ve been known to be wishy washy about things and flip flop on what I feel about things. In this case, I want to be spiritually discerning based on what I see over time, not just in a moment of ecstasy and rapture. I want this revival to be real, but I also want it to be biblical.

I read something that struck me. It said that “our hope isn’t in the return of Christian culture. Our hope is in the return of Christ.”

Now that I can get on board with.